In July and August 2021, groups of military vehicle collectors from around Australia converge on Alice Springs and make the wartime journey and travel along the track to Darwin to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War in the Pacific.
The event is held every five years and was due to take place in 2020 (to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII), but deferred to 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.
This event is for restored WW2 Allied Military Vehicles, and re-enacts the military supply convoys that ran from Alice Springs to Darwin (Larrimah) during the Second World War that became known as the Track, or North South road to fortress Darwin during the Battle for Australia.
The event recognizes the contribution of indigenous soldiers and women to the war effort.
Indigenous soldiers initially were paid 1/3 of what non-indigenous soldiers got paid for the same effort. Later they were paid 1/2 and only got full back pay in the 1980s.
One of the important roles women had was in the Australian Army's 58th Searchlight Battery, which operated searchlights spotting enemy aircraft.
The country Women's Association, particularly in Tennant Creek, looked after the soldiers on their way north.
Some of the Military vehicles in the convoy.
Virginia, Sharon and Mardi - from the Rotary Club of Alice Springs - welcoming visitors to the Women's Museum of Australia and Old Gaol.
Alice Swings - Dance in the Desert dressed in 40s style.
Locals, CWA member Adrienne and Eric, joining in the dancing